NFHRCC inspects foothills road, raises concern over political interference

The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), along with concerned departmental officials, conducted joint inspection visits to the Tuli and Peren Division Foothills Road construction sites on April 1 and April 7, respectively.

According to the joint inspection team, the “physical completion on both Divisions are quite satisfactory” with “over 55% of overall construction at Tuli Division (M/S 3S INFRA)” and “approximately 20% of the Bridge Constructions (M/S Medodi Constructions & Co)” completed. Based on these observations, the committee has endorsed the Department “to release requisite running bills accordingly.”

The Departmental technical team is also “urged upon to initiate joint inspections at these sites at the earliest and release the running bills appropriately at the three bridge construction sites.”
However, the scheduled joint inspection for Baghty Division on April 5 faced an unexpected obstacle. The NFHRCC reported that “at the 11th hour, the EE, PWD, R&B Baghty was reportedly instructed by the local MLA 40 Bhandari A/C Shri Achumbemo Kikon not to accompany the NFHRCC inspection team for a reason best known to him,” forcing the EE to send an official regret letter citing reasons for their inability to join the team.

The committee described this action as “unfortunate,” adding that “the arbitrary action of the Hon’ble MLA contravenes the role of the Minister, NPWD, R&B.”

“We were utterly shocked to see a Peoples’ Representative stopping the Department concerned to co-operate with justice and transparent seeking Pressure group which is a cross violation of the Democratic ethical norms,” the NFHRCC stated. The committee has sought from the concerned Department “to clarify judiciously in this matter” and expressed hope that “good consciousness prevails among the public leaders soonest.”

Despite the setback, the committee proceeded with the inspection. It observed that “the 3 bridges construction at Shanthatchu (Liphi), Jungju (Hayiyan), and Sungkhatchu (Longjung) Rivers executed by M/S P. Mha-Tum & Co, M/S Quinker Enterprises, and M/S N. Chiso Swu & Sons respectively are observed to be satisfactorily performing.”

However, concerns were raised regarding the bridge construction at Jakvantchu River (Renthan) under M/S Ren Kik_EZJ & Co, which “needs to be thoroughly examined by the Department technicians as there were evidence of using sub-standard materials at the base.” The committee further noted that the “upgradation of land cutting project under three different work orders at Baghty Division seems to be uneven; therefore, the committee cannot give any substantial comments on the technical completions of the works at this juncture.”

The NFHRCC also expressed appreciation to organizations such as the “Ao Senden and Langpangkong Road Coordination Committee, the Kuki Inpi, the Zeliang Peoples Organisation (ZPO), the Yanmhon Area Public Organizations (YAPO) and the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH)” for “diligently remaining vigilant, inspecting the construction sites in their respective project areas.” The committee encouraged them to “continue to do so transparently till the Historic Nagaland Project becomes a reality.”

Additionally, the NPWD (R&B) was reminded “to respect and abide by the joint MOU as resolved on March 5th, 2025, and straightly adhere to it in both heart and soul, assured by the Department as desired by the Hon’ble Minister, NPWD, R&B, Govt. of Nagaland.”

The NFHRCC strongly urged the Department “to immediately instruct the contractors who had not signed on the MOU to immediately commence work in their respective areas including the already signed firm of the Double Lane Galvanized Steel Bridge Construction at River Tsumang, Baghty Division allotted to M/S NCSU & Team.” It further insisted that “timely and adequate running bills after joint verifications can be released by the Department according to the quantum of performance of each firm without any bias and prejudices.”

MT